Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management

01/06/2026

Meet the vice chair of the Africa Centre’s advisory board for the 2026/27 term, Prof Brian van Wyk.

A seasoned academic and leading public health researcher, Prof van Wyk brings a wealth of relevant research experience and expertise to the centre. Having also served on the previous board and being part of the strategic repositioning of the centre in 2025, he is well-placed to provide insights and advice that support the centre’s inclusive health management agenda.

Prof van Wyk is currently a professor in public health at the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape. He’ll be working closely with Prof Elizabeth Lwanga Nanziri, an experienced development finance practitioner, who was selected as chair of the board. Read more about what Prof Van Wyk brings to the board here: https://www.healthmanagement.sun.ac.za/prof-brian-van-wyk/



Stellenbosch University

29/05/2026

As a proudly African institution, exploring and promoting Afrocentric values, principles, values and philosophies of health leadership and management is a core part of the Africa Centre’ work and mission.

We’re therefore excited to announce a five-year collaboration with the Traditional Health Practice Association of Southern Africa (THPASA), which exists to uphold, protect, professionalise and ethically govern indigenous healthcare without erasing its ancestral foundations.

THPASA’s president and CEO, Dr Jameo Calvert, was a presenter at our PgDip summer school this year. We’re looking forward to deepening our collaborative relationship and joining forces to strengthen evidence generation, ethical practice standards, training, policy engagement and community impact in support of indigenous healthcare.

Read more about the collaboration here: https://www.healthmanagement.sun.ac.za/restoring-the-health-system-balance-by-recognising-indigenous-health-knowledge/



Traditional Health Practice Association of Southern Africa
Stellenbosch University

28/05/2026

Researchers and scholars, there's still time, but only one day, to submit your abstract for this topical and timely conference. The theme is perfectly aligned to the Africa Centre's vision and work around inclusive health management. Our director, Dr Munya Saruchera, will also be a speaker at the conference, which takes place in September. Join us in shaping the future of spiritual care in South African healthcare!

Here are all the details: https://www.hospivision.org.za/pages/call-for-abstracts

For enquiries, email [email protected] or phone 012 3299492.

HospiVision NPO



Stellenbosch University

27/05/2026

Is Africa ready for liftoff? In the wake of Africa Day, here are interesting perspectives on what Africa can do to harness the potential of its population.

https://www.thecommonsense.co.za/Editorials/africa-set-liftoff

What Africa needs to do to harness the potential of its population.

26/05/2026

Photo stories are visual booklets that use images and storytelling to engage readers. When it comes to communicating vital health information, they’re invaluable, especially where education and literacy levels are low.

The Africa Centre is in the process of producing its fourth photo story to help educate local communities about serious health issues. The latest booklet focuses on raising awareness about cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) among local youth, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and the Cancer Alliance. The previous three booklets (which were translated into three languages) addressed the topics of crystal m**h, diabetes and teenage pregnancies.

These booklets have proven to be highly effective in helping people understand and apply health information to improve their health outcomes and make more informed choices. A crucial part of their success is the fact that they are developed in collaboration with communities, which ensures that the storyline, visuals and messaging are relatable.

Read more about our latest photo story here (and access links to information about the previous booklets): https://www.healthmanagement.sun.ac.za/new-photo-story-aims-to-address-knowledge-gaps-about-hpv-and-cervical-cancer/



Stellenbosch University
University of Johannesburg
Cancer Alliance

25/05/2026

Every year more than 150 000 women in Africa die from cervical cancer. HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, but most young people don’t know about it, that there’s an HPV vaccine and that it affects both boys and girls.

Now the Africa Centre will partner with the University of Johannesburg and the Cancer Alliance to produce a photo story to raise awareness about cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) among young people. An interactive digital game will also be developed. The University of Johannesburg’s social impact division and the Het Jan Marais Fonds at Stellenbosch University will fund this project.

According to senior lecturer Dr Burt Davis, who is leading the project, there’s an urgent need for engaging, visual resources to reach young people.
Read the full story here: https://www.healthmanagement.sun.ac.za/new-photo-story-aims-to-address-knowledge-gaps-about-hpv-and-cervical-cancer/



Stellenbosch University
University of Johannesburg
Cancer Alliance

22/05/2026

One week to go to submit an abstract to participate in HospiVision's conference on religion and spirituality in healthcare, in which we're a proud partner

The conference will provide a platform for exploring how interdisciplinary research, collaboration between faith communities and healthcare services and innovative patient care can help integrate spirituality into medical practice.

Here are all the details: https://www.hospivision.org.za/pages/call-for-abstracts

For enquiries, email [email protected] or phone 012 3299492.

HospiVision NPO



Stellenbosch University

20/05/2026

Last week the Society for AIDS in Africa, one of our valued partners, convened a successful handover ceremony and executive board transition meeting. One of our board members, Prof Morenike Ukpong, is a member of the newly constituted governing board. Congratulations to her and our other esteemed associates who will play a role in doing the SAA's crucial work around strengthening Africa’s response to HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, emerging infectious diseases and broader public health priorities.

19/05/2026

As South Africa faces climate change, unemployment, food insecurity and malnutrition, indigenous food crops offer many advantages: climate resilience, economic development opportunities, nutritional diversity, land care and cultural revitalisation.

International research shows that indigenous food can promote a diverse gut microbiome. Balanced microbial gut ecosystems improve nutrition, resistance to infections and emotional wellbeing.

In an interactive workshop a week from today, we'll discuss how the government shapes the indigenous food and microbiome nexus and invite civil society representatives to share their own experiences. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXAp4_nX0eNmDiL8b670phlPYw2PlGrszL1rm8h-Gfpzwi3w/viewform
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The FAMA policy project has researched the policy and governance environment shaping indigenous foods and microbiomes in South Africa. The research reveals:

· Traditional and indigenous food culture is eroding as supermarkets sell ultraprocessed food based on global commodity crops
· The dominant food system has cultivated a toxic microbiome that poses environmental, economic and health threats
· Indigenous crop producers and enterprises seeking to capitalise on this cultural heritage face neglect as state and industry bodies favour commercial, export-orientated agriculture
· Centralised state-run custodians of indigenous crops are not easily accessible to small farmers and employ outdated development models
· Microbial regulatory frameworks designed to comply with global hygiene standards exclude small enterprises

Join a dynamic network of civil society and academic stakeholders for an interactive online workshop where we discuss the research findings and grapple with these tricky issues to formulate policy recommendations.



The University of the Western Cape